Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Loretta and I are always on the hunt for interesting historical tidbits to share with you, and we never quite know when or how or where we'll find something new - or is that old? I discovered the curious furry object, left, on the "Winter Wonderland" Pinterest board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Check out our own Pinterest boards at Two Nerdy History Girls.)

What exactly is this luxurious accessory? It's a foot warmer, to be used by a stylish, wealthy woman while riding in her unheated horse-drawn carriage or daring new motorcar; think of it as a single slipper for both feet. Fashioned of costly leopard and fox fur (no modern stenciled calf or faux fur here), silk, and cotton, this foot warmer would have kept the chill from only the most pampered of silk-clad feet on their way to a ball. For the lady living in the pre-PETA Belle Époque who was already swathed in a fur coat, fur-trimmed gloves, and a fur muff, this must have been the final touch of extravagance – especially since it would have been a private luxury, and most likely never seen by anyone beyond the user.

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A Polite Explanation

There’s a big difference in how we use history. But we’re equally nuts about it. To us, the everyday details of life in the past are things to talk about, ponder, make fun of -- much in the way normal people talk about their favorite reality show.

We talk about who’s wearing what and who’s sleeping with whom. We try to sort out rumor or myth from fact. We thought there must be at least three other people out there who think history’s fascinating and fun, too. This blog is for them.